So, let me take you back a couple of years, California, assignment for Jaguar Cars, 3 weeks of drinking on sunset, however, every bar I went into, every club I fell into, one thing was noticeable, flyers for a certain glam rock tribute band called “metal skool “, they did a weekly spot at the key club, so after watching twisted sister at the house of blues.

I decided to fall into the key club, realising there was quite a few people for a so called tribute band I thought these must be a bit special, and that they were , poison to GNR to warrant to Van Halen, it had everything for me, so, two and a half years later I’m now at castle witnessing something a bit special again, meta skool are now steel panther, obviously I had seen the MTV video, which I loved, but here they were again, taking the famous Donnington rock festival by storm, another top quality and hilarious performance, they had cracked it.


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The tribute band from LA had made it, with the hit album “death to all but metal “ under their belt they were single handily bringing heavy metal back on our screens, which in a round about way brings me to the present, their manager had kindly sorted me out the press pass for rock3, so, here I was again, Sunday night in the rammed and sold out Birmingham academy 2, which still bewilders me, why no main stage ?

9 o’clock and the mighty take to the stage, a mental and highly intoxicated brummie crowd go nuts, straight in with “eyes of the panther” steel panther rip the academy 2 apart at the seam’s, even with the lights failing the band do not miss a beat, although they did ask, “were the ****s the lights” what follows can only be described as an onslaught of vulgar, degrading, abusive, disgusting and a truly awesome fantastic display of showmanship, I lost count of the times the word sperm was used.

Its LA street talk pushed rite down your throat, quite literally ! there was a lot of talking in between songs however I didn’t mind that because lets face it, I loved the crude comedy approach , with tracks straight from the album, “Asian hooker”, “fat girl”, “party all day “, well to be honest, the whole album, I know what your saying , its just a tribute band , and yes, your correct, however, these were a tribute band, now they have made in their own right, all be it completely ripping of the big boys, I personally think they will have mixed reviews, they have the marmite effect, you will love them or hate them, in my opinion, and everyone has an opinion.

If you lived the 80s dream as I did, listening to the above mentioned bands then Steel Panther are for you, their hilarious brand of glam comedy heavy metal is a breath of fresh air, their album has been number 1 on my iPod since it came out, their performance is still making me smile. quality entertainment !!!!! 10 out of 10 !!!!!!

Stix Zadinia - drums
Micheal Starr - vox
Lexxi Foxxx - bass
Satchel - guitar

STEELPANTHERROCKS.COM

Review by James Hope